Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in El Centro, CA
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in El Centro, CA is $121,330/year ($58.33/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.17), that's roughly $127,488 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,362/month, or 19% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $121K get you in El Centro?
About detectives and criminal investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, El Centro, CA
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K.Top earners bring in $131K or more - a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $126K | +34% | 960 |
| California | $122K | +31% | 11,900 |
| Alaska | $121K | +29% | 130 |
| Washington | $116K | +24% | 1,680 |
| New Jersey | $114K | +22% | 3,000 |
| Hawaii | $112K | +20% | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $111K | +19% | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $110K | +18% | 3,170 |
| Oregon | $107K | +15% | 470 |
| Vermont | $104K | +11% | 210 |
| New York | $103K | +10% | 9,410 |
| Arizona | $103K | +10% | 5,220 |
| Nebraska | $99K | +6% | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | +6% | 3,390 |
| Montana | $96K | +2% | 470 |
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when El Centro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in El Centro, CA?
The median is $121,330 a year - that works out to about $58.33 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,750, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $130,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in El Centro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,189/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,362/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 18.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in El Centro?
El Centro has a Regional Price Parity of 95.17 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $127,488 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do detectives and criminal investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.